Multiple gun



E. HOLZWARTH.

MULTIPLE GUN. 7 APPLICATION FILED MAILZL l9l8.

1 ,3 1 1 ,860. Patented July 29, 1919.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A TTORNEYS E. HOLZWARTH.

MULTIPLE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27. 191s.

Patented July 29, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A TTORNEYS FFICE.

EDWARD HOLZWARTH, F MILLER, SOUTH DAKOTA.

MULTIPLE GUN.

Application filed March 27, 1918.

and Improved Multiple Gun, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description.

The invention relates to ordnance, and its object is to provide a newand improved multiple gun more especially designed for use on aeroplanesor marine vessels or for use in the field against aeroplanes, infantry,cavalry and other bodies and arranged to permit of firing bullets in atubular or a conical path. Another object is to provide a single triggeractuating mechanism for simultaneously actuating the triggers of severalmachine guns to fire the latter in unison. Another object is to providea single sighting means for the several machine guns.

In order to produce the desired result, use is made of a plurality ofmachine guns adjustably mounted on a carrier and arranged to allow ofadjusting the machine guns one relative to the other, thesaid machineguns in one position having their axes parallel and in another positionconvergent. Use is also made of a sighting tube forming the carrier fora plurality of machine guns grouped around the said sighting tube, thelatter providing a single sight for the several machine guns. Use isalso made of'a trigger actuating mechanism connected with the triggersof the several machine guns to fire the latter in unison.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of the multiple machine gun;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the uppermost machine gunremoved;

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the multiple machine gun on the line 33 ofFig.1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged rear end elevation of the same with the grip ofone of the operating handles shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a sectional slde elevatlon of the same on theline 5-5 of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a reduced cross section of the multiple machine gun andshowing more particularly the trigger actuating mechaanism for theseveral machine guns;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 29, 1919.

Serial No. 224,950.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the multiple machine gun and adistant target in the form of an aeroplane;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic cross section of the course of the bulletsfired by the several guns; and

Fig. 9 is a reduced rear end elevation of the multiple machine gun inposition when oscillated.

A tripod or other suitable support 10 is provided with bearings 11 inwhich is mounted to turn a carrier 12 in the form of a sighting tubeheld against longitudinal movement in the bearings 11 by collars 13secured to the carrier and abutting against the outer faces of thebearings 11. The-carrier 12 is provided with cross hairs 14 (see Fig. 4)to permit the operator to obtain an accurate sight, as hereinafter morefully explained. Around the carrier 12 is grouped a series of machineguns 20, 21 and 22, of any approved construction, the machine guns and21 being preferably located on opposite sides of the carrier 12 whilethe ma-' chine gun 22 is arranged above the carrier 12, but the severalguns are preferably spaced equal distances apart from the axis of thecarrier 12. The breech ends of the side machine guns 20 and 21 aremounted to swing on vertical pivots 23 and 24 held on a bracket 25attached to the rear end of the carrier 12. The breech end of the topmachine gun 22 is connected by a transverse pivot 26 with the bracket25, and by this pivotal arrangement of the three machine guns the lattercan be swung from normal parallel position toward the carrier 12 intoconverging position. The muzzle ends of the three machine guns 2(), 21and 22 are provided with collars 30, 31, 32 pivotally connected by links33, 34 and 35 with a tubular slide or sleeve 36 mounted to slidebackward and forward on the forward end of the carrier 12. The slide 36normally abuts against a collar 37 attached to the forward end of thecarrier 12, and the rear edge of the slide 36 is pressed on by a spring38 abutting against a carrier 39 adjustably secured by a set screw 40 tothe carrier 12, to permit of adjusting the tension of the spring 38. Itis understood that the spring 38 normally holds the slide 36 against thecollar 37, and when the slide is in this position then the links 33, 34and 35 extend radially in a transverse plane and hold 'the machine guns20, 21 and 22 in parallel position one relative to the other and to thecarrier 12. When the slide 36 is moved rearwardly against the tension ofthe spring 38 then the links 33, 34, 35 swing the several guns intoinclined or converging position relative to each other and to thecarrier 12, as will be readily understood by reference to the dottedline positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the full line position shownin Fig. 7. It is understood that when the machine guns 20, 21 and 22 arein parallel position and are fired then their bullets travel in atubular path but when the machine guns are moved in converging positionthen the bullets fired by the machine guns cross each other (see 'Fig.7) a distance beyond the muzzle ends of the machine guns and made totravel in two conical paths, the apexes of which coincide, as will bereadily understood by reference to Fig. 7. It will be noticed that thebullets are scattered and hence readily strike a distant target sightedwith the sighting tube formed by the carrier-l2 and whether such targetis an aeroplane, infantry, cavalry or other body.

In order to still further vary the path of the bullets, the tubularcarrier 12 and with it the guns 20,. 21 and 22 may be turned during thefiring while simultaneously swinging the guns from the parallel to theconvergent position thus producing the effect illustrated in Fig. 8.

In order to enable the operator to actuate the slide 36 the followingarrangement is made: To the sides of the slide 36 are secured rearwardlyextending rods 50 connected with each other at their rear end by acrossbar 51 to which is secured a chain, cable or other flexibleconnection 52 passing over a guide pulley 53 mounted on a bracket 54attached to the carrier 12. The rear end of the flexible connection 52is attached to an arm 55 held on the lower end of a rod 56 dependingfrom-a sleeve 57 secured by a set screw 58 or other fastening device toa crossbar 60 extending below the bracket 25. The ends of the crossbar60 are formed into pivots 61, 62 journaled in lugs 63, 64 depending fromthe bracket 25. To the pivots '61, 62 are secured the upper ends ofhandles 65 and 66- provided with grips 67 and 68 mounted to turn on thehandles 65 and 66. Normally the handles 65 and 66 hang down vertically,as shown in Fig. 5, and when it is desired to tilt the machine guns 20,21 and 22 then the operator takes hold of the grips 67 and 68 and swingsthe handles 65 and 66 rearwardly thus turning the crossbar 60 andcausing the rod 56 and its arm 55 to exert a rearward pull on theflexible connection 52 whereby the sleeve 36 is drawn rearwardly and theguns 20, 2'1 and 22 are swung into converging position, as beforeexplained. When the operator releases the grips 67 and 68 then thespring 38 returns the slide 36 to forward position thus swinging theguns 20, 21 and 22 back into parallel position. The return movement ofthe slide also causes a return movement of the handles 65, 66. When itis desired to turn the carrier 12 in its bearings 11 then the operatortaking hold of the grips 67, 68 pushes the same sidewise, thus causingthe carrier to turn in its bearings, as will be readily understood byreference to Fig. 9.

The trigger mechanisms 70 of the several machine guns 20, 21 and 22 aresimultaneously actuated by a trigger actuating mechanism controlled bythe operator having hold of the handle grips 67, 68. For the purposementioned use is made of a sleeve 71 mounted to slide on the carrier 12and having three arms 72 engaging the trigger mechanisms 70 of theseveral machine guns 20, 21 and 22, as plainly indicated in Figs. 1 and6. To the sleeve 71 is secured one end of a chain or other flexibleconnection which passes over a guide pulley 81 journaled at the frontface of the bracket 25, and the said flexible connection extendsdownward from the guide pulley 8]. and then passes around a guide pulley82 journaled in a bracket 83 (see Figs. 1 and 5) attached to thecrossbar 60. The flexible connection 80 next passes around a guidepulley 84 journaled on the rod 56 and the end of the flexible connection80 is attached to an arm 85 secured to the top of the grip 68 so thatwhen the latter is turned at the handle 66 then a pull is exerted on theflexible connection 80 whereby the caused to slide rearward on thecarrier 12. This rearward movement of the sleeve 71 causes its arms 72simultaneously to actuate the trigger mechanisms 70 of the several guns20, 21 and 22 to fire the same in unison.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by the arrangement described,the operator in charge of the multiple machine gun can sight a distantobject through the carrier which forms a tubular sight and as theseveral guns 20, 21 and 22 are grouped around this sighting tube, it isevident that the latter forms, a common sight for the several guns. Itwill further be noticed that the operator in charge can readily swingthe guns from parallel to converging osition, can turn the carrier inits bearings and with it the guns, and at the same time the operator canfire the guns by corre spondingly turning the grip 68 as previouslyexplained.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent r 1. In a multiple gun, a plurality of machine guns, asighting tube, said guns grouped around said sighting tube, said gunsand tube adjustably mounted relatively to sleeve 71 is each other, andcontrollin means connecting said tube and guns, w ereby said guns may bemoved to a position where their axes are parallel, or to one where theiraxes will be convergent.

2. In a'multiple gun, a pluralit of machine guns, a sighting tube, themac ine guns and sighting tube adjustably mounted relatively to eachother and said guns grouped around the sighting tube, the said machineguns in one position having their axes parallel, and in another positionconvergent, and controlling means under the control of an operator,mounted on the said sighting tube and connected with the said guns toadjust the latter at will.

3. In a multiple gun, a plurality of machine guns, a sighting tubearound which they are grouped and on which the said machine guns areadjustably mounted one relative to the other, the said machine us in oneposition having their axes para el and in another position convergent,and controlling means under the control of an operator mounted on thesaid sighting tube and connected with the said guns to adjust the latterat the will of the operator, the said means permitting to rotate thesighting tube on its axis and with it the said machine guns.

4. In a multiple gun, a plurality of machine guns, a sighting tubearound which the said machine guns are grouped, a bracket on the rearend of the tube and on which bracket the breech ends of the said gunsare pivoted, a slide on the forward end of the tube, links pivotallyconnecting the said slide with the muzzle ends of the said guns, andmeans under the control of an operator mounted on the said bracket andconnected with the said slide to impart movement thereto.

5. In a multiple gun, a plurality of machine guns, a sighting tubearound which the said machine guns are grouped, a bearin in which thetube is mounted to turn, a brac et attached to the rear end of the saidtube and provided with pivoted handles under the control of an operator,the breech ends of the said guns being pivoted on the said bracket, aspring-pressed slide on the forward end of the said tube, linksconnecting the said slide with the muzzle ends of the said guns, andmeans connecting the said slide with the said handles.

6. In a multiple gun, a plurality of machine guns, a sighting tubearound which the said machine guns are grouped, a bearing in which thetube is mounted to turn, a bracket attached to the rear end of the saidtube and provided with pivoted handles under the control of an operator,the breech ends of the said guns being pivoted on the said bracket, aspring-pressed ,slide on the forward end of the said tube, linksconnecting the said slide with the muzzle ends of the said guns, meansconnecting the said slide with the said handles, and a trigger operatingmechanism connected with the said handles and engaging the triggers ofthe said guns to fire the same simultaneously.

7. In a multiple gun, a plurality of machine guns, a sighting tubearound which the said machine guns are grouped, a bearing in which thetube is mounted to turn, a bracket attached to the rear end of the saidtube, handles provided with turnable grips, a crossbar having pivots atthe ends mounted to turn on the bracket and on which the handles aremounted to swing backward and forward, a rod depending from the middleof the said crossbar, a pulley mounted to turn on the said rod, aspring-pressed slide mounted to slide backward and forward on the muzzleend of the said tube, a connection between the said slide and the saidrod, a trigger actuating mechanism slidable on the said tube andengaging the triggers of the said machine guns to fire the samesimultaneously, and a flexible connection connecting at one end with thesaid trigger actuating mechanism, passing around the said pulley andconnecting at ltsother end with one of the said grips.

8. In a multiple gun, a sighting tube and a plurality of machine gunsgrouped around the said sighting tube, the latter providlng a singlesight for the several machine guns, the said tube being mounted to turnon its aXis and the said machine guns being mounted on the said sightingtube and turning bodily with the same.

9. In a multiple gun, a sighting tube, a plurality of machine gunsgrouped around the said sighting tube, the latter providing a singlesight for the several machine guns, and trigger actuating means mountedon the said tube and connected with the triggers of the several machineguns to fire the latter in unison.

10. In combination, a sighting tube, a machine gun ivoted at its breechend on the said sighting tube, a slide on the tube, links pivotallyconnecting the muzzle end of the said machine gun with the said slide,and means controlled by the operator in charge of the gun to manipulatethe said slide to move the gun from normal parallel position relative tothe tube into tilted positlon and vice versa.

EDWARD IIOLZWARTI-I.

